Franchi Affinity VS Winchester SX4 VS Weatherby 18i

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Aabradsh

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I'm considering changing up my duck gun for next season

I've pretty much narrowed it down to one of the three guns mentioned in the thread title. This'll be my 19th season duck hunting and I typically change my gun up every few years for various reasons. I've handled all three of these and fit seems fine with all of them.

Any personal experience with one or more of the noted guns, be it good or bad, would be appreciated. I'm currently leaning a little toward the Franchi, but am looking for feedback.

Thank you
 
I got a Franchi Affinity 3, it is inertia, easy to clean, easy to take apart, nothing is located in the stock. Made in Italy, same factory as Benelli. Only negative I can see is that it suffers from the Benelli click which is not a big deal (just pay attention). Kick is not bad, people complain, maybe they are recoil sensitive. I am putting my up for sale sometime in the next month. I prefer O/U.

Winchester SX4, I held in store and noticed the grip to be quite small, my pinky hangs off.
 
Weatherby 18i is made by Breda who used to own Benelli with full access to the inertia-system patents. Inertia guns with 3.5" chambers tend not to like light loads.
 
The gun of the 3 that fits you best is the one you should buy . All are mid to better shotguns quality wise .the winchester is gas operated the franchi recoil . The weatherby ? .
 
I have small hands and the SX4 fits me great. Its been a good shotgun so far. I would buy another in a heart beat. It cycles light loads flawlessly. That s not the case with a few of my friends semi autos.
 
I'm a big guy and the SX4 also fits well. I have the SX4 Hybrid. Mostly shooting skeet with it and so far have about 350 rounds down the barrel with no issues. I'm shooting 1-1/8 target loads so no experience with lighter loads at this time... thinking about trying some 1oz to see. It ejects the 1-1/8 shells a good 6+ feet lol. As with all gas guns, she gets dirty in a hurry so be sure to regularly flex your cleaning skills if you go down the gas gun road. Cheers.
 
Im sure by now you’ve already purchased your new toy but I can share my experience with you….
I bought both the SX4 and affinity in 20 last fall (2022) as I’ve shot 12ga for waterfowling for over 45yrs (yes im old) so I thought I’d try a 20 for a change. I do prefer a gas gun for its softer recoil and having both new shotguns for early dove season, that Franchi fit me better because of the stock shims and I sold the SX4 after 2 boxes of shells and why browning doesn’t offer stock shims with these guns is ridiculous but trust me my old SX2 and now my new Maxus 2 wicked wing both in 12 are great guns and I’m grateful to own them but I was very disappointed with the SX4 20. While I think of it, that SX4 refused to cycle 2-3/4” 20ga lead loads, I shortened the stock spring by 1” and it still wouldn’t cycle and once I opened up both gas port by .005” that solved the mystery because it cycled perfectly afterwards. My buddy who now owns it, loves it but the Affinity 3 is the one I prefer.
 
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